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What Causes Diarrhea Followed Stomach Rumbling After Having Food?
Question: I have been plagued with digestive issues for over a year. As soon as I eat a meal, my stomach begins making all kinds of strange noises (no pain), I then have to go to the bathroom (diarrhea) soon after. I am constantly fighting gas/diarrhea with over the counter medicines. I had a colonoscopy one year ago when this first started - it came back fine. My mother had colon cancer years ago so doctor advises I have colonoscopy more often than normal. I thought I was lactose intolerant and the pills helped a little, then tried fiber, that helped a little while but the diarrhea, gas and stomach rumbling continue. Recent blood work came back that indicated I need Synthroid. I am currently taking it but don't have a follow up appointment until April. I actually feel great except for this problem. It is affecting my quality of life because I'm worried about what I'm eating or where the nearest bathroom might be and I have had a couple of embarrassing accidents because of lack of control. I have been on blood pressure medicines for years; Monopril, Dyazide, Metoprolol, (also take Premarin and Prozac). I just turned 63 years old.
Brief Answer:
Stool culture test and Rifaximine treatment should be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Your diarrhea can be caused by several reasons and need proper diagnostics. Chronic bacterial infection, inflammatory bowels disease, partial bowels obstruction, chronic pancreas inflammation can be the reason.
Chronic bacterial infection appears when good intestinal bacteria amount is low. It may happen due to antibiotics therapy or just bad diet. Bad intestinal bacteria can appear instead of good, and cause all your symptoms.
Inflammatory bowels disease can give chronic diarrhea. Blood and mucus in the stool can be present. Weight loss, skin changes (like eczema), joint pains can be also present.
Partial bowels obstruction can be caused by inflammatory bowels disease or abdominal adhesions. Cramping pain is quite characteristic before diarrhea episode.
Chronic pancreatitis is a kind of pancreas inflammation. It gives fatty and foul smelling diarrhea. Food parts can be present in the stool.
I suggest you to start with some diagnostics. Stool test and stool culture test should be done at first. This will give the answer if there is any infection out there. You should also try Rifaximine treatment (special antibiotic for intestinal infections and chronic diarrhea). Probiotic intake should be started as well.
If no infection will be found and Rifaximine wont be helpful, Abdominal CT should be the next step. It will tell about pancreas condition.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Stool culture test and Rifaximine treatment should be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Your diarrhea can be caused by several reasons and need proper diagnostics. Chronic bacterial infection, inflammatory bowels disease, partial bowels obstruction, chronic pancreas inflammation can be the reason.
Chronic bacterial infection appears when good intestinal bacteria amount is low. It may happen due to antibiotics therapy or just bad diet. Bad intestinal bacteria can appear instead of good, and cause all your symptoms.
Inflammatory bowels disease can give chronic diarrhea. Blood and mucus in the stool can be present. Weight loss, skin changes (like eczema), joint pains can be also present.
Partial bowels obstruction can be caused by inflammatory bowels disease or abdominal adhesions. Cramping pain is quite characteristic before diarrhea episode.
Chronic pancreatitis is a kind of pancreas inflammation. It gives fatty and foul smelling diarrhea. Food parts can be present in the stool.
I suggest you to start with some diagnostics. Stool test and stool culture test should be done at first. This will give the answer if there is any infection out there. You should also try Rifaximine treatment (special antibiotic for intestinal infections and chronic diarrhea). Probiotic intake should be started as well.
If no infection will be found and Rifaximine wont be helpful, Abdominal CT should be the next step. It will tell about pancreas condition.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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